Rob Whyte made the decision to study at Bath after falling in love with the beautiful city. 25 years later, he hopes to call Bath home again.
Rob reflects on how studying here set him up for a successful career in the rail industry.
Why did you choose to study at Bath?
Bath was always seen as a good university for the power systems side of electronic and electrical engineering which was the reason it was on my shortlist. After visiting Bath for the first time as part of the open day, I saw how beautiful the city was and my mind was made up!
Did you have a particular career in mind when you chose your course?
I was fortunate to have a scholarship through Alstom, so I already had a fairly good idea of where I wanted my career to go. I was always more interested in the management of an engineering company rather than pure engineering but felt that I needed to have a proper understanding of the technical side of the business to be an effective leader.
Can you tell us about your experience of studying here?
I loved my time in Bath, so much so that I am looking to move back to the city now. I built great friendships that are still in place, including meeting my wife on the same course! Bath is a great city with so many memories for me, be it in one of the many bars in town, watching the rugby – both live or in the pub – or going out to see the stunning countryside surrounding the city. 
How did your studies help you to develop, professionally and/or personally?
An engineering degree is as much about the way to think as it is the knowledge you pick up. I grew as a person hugely during my time at Bath; my vision and confidence picked up, and my ability to think both logically and critically developed significantly. I learned how to break down complex problems, analyse situations from multiple perspectives and apply structured thinking to find effective solutions. These skills have been invaluable in my career, allowing me to approach challenges with clarity and confidence.
Describe your career journey since graduating. What is a typical day like in your current role?
My scholarship with Alstom meant that, upon graduation, I immediately commenced a career in the commercial part of the business for several years. I am just in the process of moving back from Sweden now and have taken the role of running the UK and Ireland business for Alstom. It’s a massive honour to do this, leading around 6,000 people that are critical to the safe and efficient running of the rail network here, including the huge factory in Derby that is the UK’s only site capable of manufacturing a new train from scratch.
My day typically starts at 6am with a quick check of the business news of the day, before heading off to work at around 7am.
I am supporting the teams in the execution of several major projects, such as building the new HS2 trains or the maintenance of several fleets in the UK. Often, I will be at one of our 37 sites across the UK and Ireland, visiting the teams and reviewing the progress of the projects.
What advice would you give to prospective students thinking about studying your course at Bath?
Engineering is not an easy subject to study, but it’s a field that only becomes more and more rewarding as your career develops. Make sure your maths skills are good and that you develop a strong work ethic. You will be in labs longer than others will be in lectures and at times it seems unfair, but the advantage is the diverse approach you gain in problem solving and team working. Stick at it – it will be worth it!
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